Dead fish spotted at Sungei Buloh likely trapped and died due to recent hot weather: NParks

On August 5, a significant number of dead fish were discovered at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore, according to the National Parks Board (NParks). A Facebook user shared an image of the deceased fish and several birds in shallow water, prompting speculation about the cause. NParks confirmed that the majority of the fish were milkfish, a wild species commonly found in coastal waters of Singapore. No other dead wildlife was reported in the surrounding coastal areas.

Lim Liang Jim, the group director of conservation at NParks, suggested that the fish likely became trapped in shallow waters within the reserve. He attributed their deaths to the recent hot weather, stating that the intense heat likely made survival difficult for the fish. NParks has stated that they will remove the dead fish from the shore once safe and suitable tidal conditions are present.

Tan Heok Hui, a senior collection manager of fishes at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, noted that more mass fish deaths could potentially occur due to the ongoing hot weather. However, he emphasized that fish deaths are often multifactorial and not solely caused by heat. Contributing factors can come from both Singapore and neighboring Johor, according to Tan.

In April 2019, thousands of fish perished near Lim Chu Kang jetty and in fish farms, with warmer temperatures being cited as a probable cause, as higher temperatures can lead to oxygen depletion in the water.